*This Editor’s Note will appear in the July/August Edition of WDD. Technology is a funny thing. It seems, in most instances, technology is more in control of us than we are of it. But what good does it bring? Why do we hate to love technology? Well, for one, it improves quality of life and…
Tech Hack: How To Test Your Remote Control’s Batteries Using Your iPhone
Typically, if you want to check the batteries in your remote control, you have to remove them and either use a tester (if you have one) or stick your batteries in another device to see if it works. Now, there’s a much easier way. Using your iPhone, switch on your camera and aim the remote…
IIoT: Where the Physical and Digital Worlds Collide
*This Editor’s Note will appear in the March Edition of ECN. We often talk about the Internet of Things (IoT), the connected home, car, even connected cities (aka smart cities), but it’s not very often that we dive into the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)—the technology that will transform companies, boost economic growth, and create…
Calling All Snowboarders: Up Your Game With This Powerful Drone
When it comes to snowboarding, I wouldn’t exactly call myself an expert. Now, however, thanks to Aerones, that just may change. One of the latest twists on drone sports is a drone to use for droneboarding—yes, you read that right. Droneboarding, a new sport that’s just what it sounds like—a snowboarder being pulled through the…
Watch The World’s Largest Micro-Drone Swarm
During the world’s largest micro-drone swarm (according to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)), 103 micro-drones carried out organized missions in the skies over China Lake, California. The Perdix drones were launched last October from three F/A-18 Super Hornets and autonomously carried out a series of missions that demonstrated decision-making, adaptive formation flying, and self-healing.…
This Waterproof Wearable Turns Your Dumb Watch Into A Smartwatch
So, you don’t have a smartwatch yet. But, the Apple and Samsung NFC-based payment systems look and sound so easy. Just tap a phone or smartwatch to the designated card reader or terminal and voilà! Payment made. Don’t be down about it! A new Sydney startup, dubbed “Inamo” has developed the Curl, a waterproof wearable…
Editor’s View: WiFi In The Sky
*This Editor’s View will appear in the December Edition of ECN. I’m finally recovering from a serious case of jet lag after returning home from electronica, the world’s leading trade fair for electronic components, systems, and applications. Per usual, the show was enormous, housed at the site of an old airport and nearly impossible to…
Solve NASA’s Space Poop Problem, Win $30,000
Butt, Really. NASA is doing everything it can to keep its hands clean—of poop. NASA has launched “The Space Poop” challenge for participants to invent a hands-free system that routes and collects waste away from the astronaut’s body for up to six days. How do you deal with human waste when you’re trapped in a space…
5 Black Friday Tech Deals You Don’t Want To Miss
Black Friday is here again and so are the deals. This year, we’re highlighting the top best tech deals for you and yours. Get your holiday shopping lists out and start checking off your favorite tech geeks! Lenovo Yoga 900 2-in-1 MSRP: $1,199 DEAL: $700 The Lenovo Yoga 900 is defined by its slim watchband-style…
This Cutting-Edge 3D Printer Now Lives On The ISS
Space travel is unpredictable. There is so much that can go wrong, and it’s impossible to plan for every possible scenario. In addition, we’re limited in how far we can go, and for how long. Now, all of that is dramatically changing. So much so that in July of this year, a 3D printer found a…
Drone Users: Interfering With Hurricane Response Efforts Could Cost You $32,140
On October 6, 2016 around 4pm EST, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sent out an email message warning registered drone users that they “may issue flight restrictions in the vicinity of disaster areas.” The email goes on to state that, “anyone, including hobbyist or recreational fliers, who interferes with disaster response efforts is subject to civil penalties…
Bluetooth Beacons Prevent Dropped GPS Signals In Tunnels
Ever drive into a tunnel only to find that your GPS has completely stopped working? You’re not alone. When using GPS for navigation, the loss of satellite signal and map guidance can be troubling, especially when you don’t know your next move. To put an end to our worries, engineer Gil Disatnik has developed a…
SpaceX Rocket Explodes, Fails To Deliver Facebook’s Multi-Million Dollar Satellite
As SpaceX was testing an unmanned rocket in preparation for a launch on Saturday at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) lunch pad, near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, an explosion erupted sending a dark cloud of smoke into the air. For several minutes the explosions continued, and buildings miles away shook from the blast.…
3 Easy Ways To Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad
I’m sure you’ve had the dreaded “Storage Almost Full” notification pop up on your Apple iPhone a time or two. With all of your favorite #nofilter selfies, hysterical videos you just can’t part with, music, apps, and emails (oh my!), it’s easy to find yourself with a storage deficient iPhone in no time. So how can you…
The Football Of NFL’s Future Has A High-Tech Spin
Keeping stats during a football game just became fool-proof. The Wilson X Connected Football can tell you how far, how fast, and how efficiently you throw the ball, thanks to embedded internal sensors. The sensors are located in the middle of the ball, suspended four ways, making it completely durable for the inevitable rough play that…
The Future Of Coloring Is Here.
Rediscover the childlike wonder of coloring with the new Scribble Pen. The small device scan a color from a real object, and turns it into ink so you can actually draw with that exact color. Let’s break it down. An RGB color sensor actually scans the color and sends the data to a micro pump that…
The Ring That Actually Helps You Lose Weight
The BioRing is a wearable in the form of a ring. Unlike the typical fitness band, this ring gives you way more flexibility in your every day life. It’s simple (looking), comfortable, and you may not even realize it, but it’s chock full of sensors. The little device has three sensors—a 3-axis accelerometer measuring distance and steps, a…
NASA Fires Up The Most Powerful Rocket Booster In History
NASA just fired up a booster for the most powerful rocket in the world! (Until Tuesday, the most powerful rocket in history was the Saturn V used in the Apollo program.) Take a look: Why? Well, beyond this endeavor being seriously cool (IMO), NASA is testing what will become part of the Space Launch System…
Microsoft Gets Handsy With Gesture-Based Computer Interfaces
Almost every object has been designed to work with the human hand, which is why Microsoft is researching the human hand gestures. In order to create more intuitive computer interfaces, they’re working on projects that deal with hand tracking, haptic feedback, and gesture input. Let’s dig in and see what they’re working on. Handpose Handpose…
This Smart Bike Helmet Helps Cyclers Navigate Through City Streets
The Classon bike helmet, created by Brooklyness, was designed to improve safety and visibility, with gesture-activated turn signals, automatic brake lights, blind spot detection, and more. Brooklyness has loaded the Classon bike helmet with lights, sensors, and smart features that communicate with cyclists to inform them of their surroundings, without disrupting their ride. The smart…
The Time I Accidentally Ordered Astronaut Food at Starbucks
It’s funny how blog ideas often fall into my lap. [Warning: this is a bit longwinded, but I promise there’s a point.] On my way to work I realized I left my purse at home. Well, sort of. Over the weekend I switched my purse twice, so therefore the purse I do have with me,…
Blue Origin, A SpaceX Competitor, Will Broadcast First Live Rocket Launch
Blue Origin has publicly celebrated three rocket landings thus far. And now, Jeff Bezos’ New Shepard vehicle is going to be fired into the air on Sunday. Bezos, founder of Blue Origin, will be giving space fans a real-time look at the action, as the company live streams one of its rocket launches for the first time ever. Comparatively it…
Should A Bill Be Passed To Allow The Deaf In The Military? This Teacher Thinks So.
Keith Nolan, a teacher at the Maryland School for the Deaf, wants to be in the military but can’t. Because he is deaf. Dave Alexander, who went through Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in college, flew Black Hawk helicopters in the military, taught ROTC, and went into the Reserves, went to graduate school for audiology and…
This Smartphone Brings Tango, Google’s Augmented Reality Platform, To Life
This is exactly what Elon Musk was afraid of. The first consumer smartphone that enables Project Tango, Google’s augmented reality platform that gives your smartphone a sense of its own surroundings. The Lenovo Phab2 Pro, which supports Project Tango, has been unveiled together with two mid-range handsets from the same line. Project Tango maps out…
Walmart May Be Outsmarting Amazon In The Drone Usage Department
We’ve all been eagerly watching the Amazon drone delivery ideas unfold, patiently waiting for the day a drone will deliver our goods in under 30 minutes. It’s clear now, however, that while waiting, we may be overlooking some key retail applications for commercial drones, beyond package delivery. We’ve touched upon the potential hang ups of…